Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Environment regarding my Member’s statement on the protection of the Peel River watershed and the Peel River land use planning commission’s report, which has now gone to public review. They have had formal meetings in Fort McPherson and at that point there were some 60 people who turned out. The majority of the people there asked for 100 percent protection. Right now the commission is recommending 80 percent. I’d like to ask the Minister of Environment what is the position of the Northwest Territories government regarding the Peel River planning commission’s report.
Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Minister responsible for Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Miltenberger.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Keeping in mind that the vast majority of the Peel River watershed is in the Yukon and it is subject to, in addition to this process, a transboundary agreement with the Yukon, weak though it may be, the Government of the Northwest Territories is supportive of the aspirations of the people on the Peel to protect as much of the watershed as possible for traditional lifestyles.
Also in my Member’s statement I made reference to the implications and major effects of resource development on the headwaters, which will have a direct affect on the communities in the Northwest Territories, particularly Fort McPherson and Aklavik all the way to the Arctic Ocean. I’d like to ask the Minister with regard to our Water Strategy and looking at the implications we’re seeing at Fort McMurray and the downstream affect that is having, does the government have a position regarding the Water Strategy and the implication of these developments downstream on the waterways?
I’ve had a relatively recent communication with the Minister from the Yukon and I’ve indicated to him in that conversation that we have, and have had, concerns about the Peel River watershed. There’s lots of activity there. We also have concerns about the efficacy and efficiency of our transboundary agreement that was one of the only ones that has been signed under the existing Mackenzie River Basin Transboundary Agreement and that we are drafting a communication to open discussions on that whole issue.
I’d like to ask the Minister if there has been any formal written correspondence from the Government of the Northwest Territories regarding its support of the Peel River planning commission report regarding the protection of the watershed for the people in the Northwest Territories.
We are engaged in water issues across the Northwest Territories. As it pertains to the Peel, we are paying very close attention and we are involved. If my memory serves me correctly, it is the one region that is yet to have their water conference. We’ve opened up our discussions with the Yukon and we’re trying to be as supportive as possible of the work that’s being done in the Peel River watershed land use plan.
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Final supplementary, Mr. Krutko.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to ask the Minister responsible for the environment if he could formally write a letter to the planning commission regarding the Government of the Northwest Territories’ position on where we stand with regard to the planning commission report so that the people of the Northwest Territories from Fort McPherson and Aklavik, the people that I represent, will get an understanding where this government stands on this important issue.
I will talk with the officials in the department, starting with the deputy minister, to see if we can follow up on that request.
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.
